How JustAnswer Works:

Experts are full of valuable knowledge and are ready to help with any question. Credentials confirmed by a Fortune 500 verification firm.

Get a Professional Answer

Via email, text message, or notification as you wait on our site.Ask follow up questions if you need to.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

Rate the answer you receive.

Ask Dr. Rossi Your Own Question

Dr. Rossi, Licensed Psychotherapist

Category: Parenting

Satisfied Customers: 4627

Experience: Certified Hypnotherapist, Parenting Book Author, 13+ years of experience.

19260254

Type Your Parenting Question Here...

Dr. Rossi is online now

My son (17 years old) is depressed, angry, has very low self

Resolved Question:

My son (17 years old) is depressed, angry, has very low self worth. He is failing in school, lost the priviledge of playing sports due to grades (this used to be his refuge and stress relief) and he has lost his first love. He refuses to go to counseling (we have tried several times over the years), has stopped taking his zoloft and has increased marijuana use. A few days ago he asked a friend if it would matter if he was no longer in this world, because he is just too tired. She talked him through and he is 'pretending' that he is fine, just irritable (at least with me). I am at wits end with worry and don't know what to do with his lack of cooperation which I am sure is a result of the depression/anger/anxiety. Help!

It is indeed difficult to help someone who refuses help. There are limited options such as involuntary commitment and a home intervention. Generally you can have someone involuntarily committed when you and another person ask the probate judge to sign a lay affidavit for involuntary treatment. The sheriff dept then can pick him up from home and bring him to a clinic where he may stay for up to 72 hours. Unfortunately, once at the clinic he can still refuse treatment/medication.

Another option is to have a family/friends intervention in the home for him and persuade him to seek help (does not have to be in a hospital if he is not posing imminent threat to self or another) If he is reluctant to take medication and go to counseling, find out what other options he may be willing to explore such as truehope.com, working with a hypnotherapist, exercise, etc.

Even though he has had some set backs, he has to realize that his state of mind and his situation is a temporary one. If he has some short term goals to focus on and work towards these, he may see that he's holding himself back when he's not getting the help he needs. If he flat out refuses to consider any help, then you do not have as many options to work with. It may be his disappointment that the medication had not been as effective and there are different medications available. He will have to be educated on the sorts of help available and feel like he has a choice.

This expert is wonderful. They truly know what they are talking about, and they actually care about you. They really helped put my nerves at ease. Thank you so much!!!!AlexLos Angeles, CA

Thank you for all your help. It is nice to know that this service is here for people like myself, who need answers fast and are not sure who to consult.GPHesperia, CA

I couldn't be more satisfied! This is the site I will always come to when I need a second opinion.JustinKernersville, NC

Just let me say that this encounter has been entirely professional and most helpful. I liked that I could ask additional questions and get answered in a very short turn around. EstherWoodstock, NY

Thank you so much for taking your time and knowledge to support my concerns. Not only did you answer my questions, you even took it a step further with replying with more pertinent information I needed to know. RobinElkton, Maryland

He answered my question promptly and gave me accurate, detailed information. If all of your experts are half as good, you have a great thing going here.DianeDallas, TX

Ask a Parenting Counselor

Get a Professional Answer. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

70 Parenting Counselors are Online Now

Type Your Parenting Question Here...

characters left:

Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.